National Health Information Center
This ASCII file contains an electronic version of the NHIC fact sheet.
This file was released in March 1994. This document is revised periodically.
This Federal document is in the public domain, but is distributed
subject to two conditions: 1) Any person or organization posting
and/or distributing this document in electronic or paper form
MUST respect the integrity of the document and post or distribute
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NHIC
National Health Information Center
The National Health Information Center (NHIC) is a health information
referral service. NHIC puts health professionals and consumers with
health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to
provide answers. NHIC was established in 1979 by the Office of Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the Public Health Service
(PHS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The Center's objectives are to:
*Identify health information resources.
*Channel requests for information to these resources.
*Develop publications in print and electronic form
on health-related topics of interest to health
professionals, health media, and the public.
NHIC meets these objectives by providing a variety of health
information resource materials, a toll-free telephone service, and
a database of health-related organizations. The Center refers
requesters for information on specific diseases, health statistics,
health education materials, health promotion programs, nutrition,
exercise, and many other general health topics.
REFERRAL SERVICES
When health professionals and consumers call or write, NHIC referral
specialists search resource files and the Center's database
to find the organizations that can best respond to their questions.
Requesters are put in touch with these organizations and provided with
the following information:
*The toll-free numbers of the organizations, if available.
*The full names and addresses of the organizations.
Callers also are given a brief description of the referral
organization's services. And, in some cases, written requests are
referred directly to the referral organizations.
NHIC does not diagnose disease, recommend health care providers, or
perform in-depth research.
DATABASE
The Center maintains an online directory of more than 1,100 health-
related organizations that can provide health information. They include
Federal and State agencies, voluntary associations, self-help and
support groups, trade associations, and professional societies. The
database is accessible to the public through DIRLINE, part of the
National Library of Medicine's MEDLARS system.
PUBLICATIONS
The Center produces directories, resource guides, and bibliographies on
various health topics in print and electronic form. NHIC also
disseminates other publications of ODPHP and PHS agencies.
Center publications include:
*Healthfinders. A series of resource lists on current health
concerns. Topics include health observances, toll-free numbers
for health information, long-term health care, and minority
health.
*Health Information Resources in the Federal Government.
A directory of Federal health agencies, information
centers, and clearinghouses with descriptions and contact
information.
*Healthy People 2000. NHIC supports the achievement of the goals
of Healthy People 2000, the Nation's prevention agenda, by
distributing a variety of related publications, including
resource lists and reports of State and Federal activities.
For more information on available publications, write or call for a
publications list.
NEW MEDIA PROJECTS
Through its New Media Projects (NMP) group, NHIC is exploring the
potential of the media supported by computers and other communication
technologies to enhance the delivery of health information and education
to the public, health professionals, and intermediary organizations.
Activities planned by ODPHP through the NMP group include exhibits and
demonstrations of promising communication services and innovative health
communication programs, a database of information on technology-based
health communication applications, a quarterly newsletter, and a HHS
Secretary's Award for outstanding health communication products.
FOR SERVICE:
Write: National Health Information Center
P.O. Box 1133
Washington, DC 20013-1133
Call: (800)336-4797 (toll-free)
(301)565-4167 (in Maryland)
9 a.m.-5 p.m. eastern standard time
NHIC is a service of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services